If you're trans or non-binary, what's your experience of GP services?
We want to learn more about the experiences of trans, non-binary and other gender-diverse people (sometimes referred to as trans+) when they visit the GP (General Practitioner).
GPs are the gateway to accessing other care, whether gender-related or not, but trans and non-binary people can face challenges when navigating services.
Our research aims to build an up-to-date picture of the healthcare landscape which trans, non-binary and other gender-diverse people individuals are currently navigating.
What we're trying to learn
We want to explore trans and non-binary people’s experiences with GP services.
In our survey, run by Healthwatch England, we cover quality of care, discrimination, bureaucracy (around changing gender markers and names), prescriptions, and referrals.
The survey asks you several questions to find out:
- If you've sought gender-affirming care from your GP
- If you've sought general healthcare or support from your GP
- How you feel about the quality of any care you’ve received.
You can answer completely anonymously, and you can leave the survey at any time. You can also let us know if you’d be interested in talking to us further about your experiences.
Why it matters
Stories that people have shared with us have also shown that people with diverse gender identities are more likely to face discrimination in healthcare settings.
Research backs this up – the Government’s national LGBT survey in 2018 showed 38% of trans people had had at least one negative experience when using healthcare services. In 2021, TransActual found that 14% of people were refused GP care because they were trans or non-binary at least once.
In response to the national LGBT survey’s findings, the Government published the LGBT Action Plan. But work by NHS England on improving access and care for trans and non-binary people has since stalled or slowed.
More research to understand the healthcare experiences of trans and non-binary people can help identify the steps NHS and other healthcare leaders need to take to improve their quality of care.
What happens next
We will pass the local feedback (what you tell us) onto Healthwatch England. They will analyse the survey responses and create a report highlighting the key findings. These findings and recommendations based on feedback from trans+ people will be shared with healthcare providers, policymakers, and the public.
By sharing the findings and recommendations with care leaders and service providers we can provide a clearer understanding of the barriers faced by transgender and non-binary individuals in accessing care.
Your participation will help identify areas for improvement, leading to more inclusive and effective healthcare services. Together, we can make a difference and ensure everyone receives the compassionate and affirming care they deserve.
Have your say
If you’re trans or non-binary and you’d like to share your experience, you can follow the link to the survey below.
